surprise for you, Niall,” she called as she waved her hand over the vile. “Om yi, kiu, to omla.”
She shivered and shifted, feeling Storm’s heavy gaze and she knew he was near. Her breath
quickened and her pulse raced. She had to complete the potion before it was too late. “There, it’s done.”
“Good.” Storm’s whisper felt a like a soft caress to her being as he pounced on her from the
right. Embracing her in his strong arms, he delivered moist kisses along the side of her neck.
“Where did you come from?”
“Ah, Rose. You underestimate the raven,” he teased. “You were deep in thought. You didn’t
feel me walk past you.” He frowned for a moment. “That worries me.”
“No need for worry.” She gasped and wiggled up along the erection throbbing against her
back. “Ah, Storm.” Thanks to his roaming hands, she couldn’t remember what she wanted to say.
“There’s more than enough time. I refuse to take no for an answer. I will have you one way
or the other.” He slid his left hand along the front of her robe, releasing the braided golden ties.
Immediately, it fell to the floor around her ankles to reveal her full breasts to the moonlight filtering in from the windows of the terrace doors. “We’ve neglected so much, Rose. We’ve
neglected ourselves for far too long.”
Her breathing became erratic and she wished he would take her by force. Storm’s fingers
raked over her soft mound, up along her belly, only stopping briefly to toy with her breasts.
Hooking her arm with his right one, he continued roaming her smooth, sienna skin. His fingers
seemed to leave an invisible trail of fire along her flesh.
“You’re being selfish,” she whispered when he picked her up and carried her toward the
doors of the terrace.
With the force of his mind, the doors flew open, and he strolled out onto the stone terrace. “I won’t deny that,” he breathed huskily in her ear before nipping her lobe with his teeth. “I am a very selfish man when it comes to you, Rose. But you need this as much as I do.”
Gently, he placed her on the chaise lounge covered by a plush gold comforter. They’d
enjoyed many moments of lovemaking on the terrace.
Their eyes connected as Storm eagerly pushed her thighs apart. “Certainly as much as you,”
she teased.
Off in the distance, Rose heard the sound of the waterfall. While he gently tilted her back,
she wrapped her silken thighs around his body, until her heels dug into the flesh of his ass. She gasped when he pushed forward, invading her womanhood with his shaft.
“I’d say we’re equally wanton,” Storm confessed.
“Storm.” She gripped him tight as he surged in and out of her wet heat. Biting her lip, she
ran her hands along his back and through his black mane.
Their gazes continuously locked as his groans of pleasure heightened with every stroke he
made. “Ah, sweet Rose.” He grounded out into the night as he swept his hands beneath her
buttocks, forcing her hard against him. “Yes—fuck!” he cursed. “I want to strengthen your
powers, fly into the spirit world with you and make love until we plummet back to earth.”
“And we shall, once Raven’s Falls is safe,” she whispered and bucked her hips hard against
his, their rhythm matching perfectly. Their howls of pleasure sliced through the starlit sky.
Raking her nails across his skin, she flung her head back and screamed. “Harder, faster.”
“Mmm.” Storm slid his hand up from her back to her neck and into her shoulder length
tightly coiled strands. Roughly, he pulled her hair, forcing her to look at him and covered her mouth with his.
She witnessed a glint of triumph in her mate’s eyes.
Then a wicked smile curved the edges of his lips as he gently withdrew from her and stood
up.
“Fuck me long, hard, and deep.” Her voice trembled with need as they took a few steps
toward the terrace.
Spinning her around, he forced her over the terrace banister and slid hilt deep inside her.
Slowly, he withdrew and slid in harder, several times. Each time, penetrating her core deeper than the last. “I want to devour you…” He reached around to fondle her breasts and moaned before slipping out and then again, plunging deep into her wet cunt.
She protested when he withdrew from her body and hoisted her up.
Grabbing the comforter, he tossed it onto the stone floor of the terrace and lay her down. “I
shall devour you,” he vowed and immediately slammed into her. He eased her legs back for a minute, then placed them over his shoulders.
“Fuck me.”
“I am.” He pounded her relentlessly, pressing her knees to her ears.
“Harder.” She needed this badly.
“Unnh.” Storm drilled repeatedly into her flesh, never allowing her to rest.
“Harder, baby…” she pleaded. “Faster. Fuck me. Harder. Pound me. Do it! Oh, Fuck! I need
you to come inside me.” She reveled in the sound of his heavy balls slapping against her ass. She saw Storm’s eyes gleamed.
For a split second, he looked like a crazed madman, seeking redemption deep inside the
walls of her womb. “I’m coming Rose.” He grounded out.
“Ah, oooh,” She felt his cock throb and spasm inside her. “Oh Storm, yes, yes, yes!” she
howled when he groaned, and deposited a thick load of cum deep inside her, still pounding her,
never stopping until their orgasms crested.
A strong surge of energy surrounded Storm, swirled throughout his body before passing into
her. The exchange was warm, exhilarating and greatly needed in her weakened condition.
Releasing her legs, Storm collapsed on top of Rose as she relaxed with him still between her
thighs. She gazed at the stars and closed her eyes to enjoy the warm breeze caressing them both.
“Are you okay?” she asked with concern.
“That’s what I was trying to tell you.” Storm nuzzled her neck and reached up to stroke her
cheek with his finger. “When things return to normal, I want to take you far away to where we are the only two beings and I can have you all to myself. I’ve got enough energy for the both of us, Rose.”
“I’d like that. To go far away with you,” she whispered as the energy sparked and
heightened throughout her body, strengthening her beyond measure. “Do you promise?”
He nodded and smiled. “I do.”
They lay, gazing into each other’s eyes for another half an hour or so, then rose to prepare to leave for the police station.
* * *
As agreed, Rose and Storm met Niall at the police station around the crack of dawn. She felt
the muscles at the back of her neck tighten at the smug look on the vampire’s face as they strode toward him through the almost empty building.
Dressed in a loose fitting stylish suit, Niall stood and shoved his hands in the pockets. His
stringy blond hair looked moussed up.
A sad assed attempt to fit in with the latest styles, she thought to herself.
“Well, if it isn’t the rose and the raven,” Niall taunted, holding his hand out. “You have
something of mine?”
“After you’ve obtained the information we need from the blood of the wolves,” she
reminded him firmly.
“Don’t play games with me, Rose. In the next twenty minutes or so when the sun rises, I will
be toast. Should I survive that brutally painful moment, I’ll come and take it out on you.”
Storm rushed forward, shoving his face right up into Niall’s despite her protests. “Don’t you
<
br /> ever threaten her! Should you survive the sun, I’ll be the one to take you down before the thought crosses your mind.” With that, he pushed the vampire, hurtling him against the wall. The vampire snarled before charging back toward the raven.
“Enough!” Rose raised her hands in the air. “Storm. Niall. Stand down!” she commanded,
gazing at Storm angrily, but it wasn’t enough to make him back off. She loved how he was
protective of her, but often worried about that temper of his getting him into trouble.
“Trickster, you’ll pay dearly for that.” Niall snarled.
“I’ve been hearing that line for years now. And you haven’t so much as lifted a hand to back
the threat up,” Storm sneered.
“That’s it.” Closing her eyes, Rose concentrated until neither man could move.
“Release me woman,” the raven warned.
She opened her eyes to find a storm brewing in her mate’s eyes. “Will you two leave each
other alone? I’m tired of playing referee.”
“He started it,” Niall hissed.
Storm curled his lips.
“Seriously, Storm?”
“All right,” the raven said with a hiss. “Free me now Rose, or else.”
“Or…else what?”
“We’ll have our talk much later,” he told her.
“Yes, we will,” she vowed with a wave of her hand
Both men floated up and fell hard to the floor. They both then climbed to their feet with their eyes fixated upon the other.
“Vial now,” Niall warned in a huff. “Or, you’ll receive nothing from me.”
With her eyes never leaving Storm’s, she handed the vial to the vampire. “See what you just
did?”
Storm shrugged. “He provoked me by threatening you.”
“You’re impossible.” Rose rolled her eyes and watched Niall throw back the entire contents
of the vial.
“Tasty.” Retrieving a handkerchief from the pocket of his suit, the vampire dabbed at his
lips. “Refreshingly fruity.” He winked at them, handed Rose the vial and put his handkerchief
away. Rubbing his hands together, he smiled. “Now, lead me to the wolves.”
Luke greeted them as they walked to the cells in the back of the police station. “Rose, Storm
—Niall .” Luke’s voice wavered. “…Follow me.”
Once inside Louis’ cell, Rose immobilized him, so Niall could retrieve the information. She
and Storm watched several minutes as the vampire fed on the wolf. Then, they moved to the other cell across from Louis’ and repeated the same thing with Nelson.
Eagerly anticipating the outcome, she wrung her hands. “Well, what did you see?”
“Definitely not vampires. I could have simply told you that. Oh, wait. I did, but you didn’t
believe me,” he spat out sarcastically.
“Niall,” Storm bit out. “Just answer the damned question.”
Niall leaned over to Rose and pointed at Storm. “Next time, leave the fucking raven at
home.”
Storm headed for the vampire, but Rose blocked him. “Don’t.” She slipped between the two
of them. “I don’t have time for this. You boys can play in the sandbox, once I’ve obtained the
information.” She snapped her fingers. “Now spill!”
“Okay, are you always this grouchy at sunup?” Niall joked, but his expression quickly
turned serious. “Listen, Rose. You’ve got a real problem on your hands. Have you pissed any
demons off lately?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Storm asked.
“These wolves are controlled by some demonic puppeteer who wants to severely discredit
you, Rose. Ultimately, they plan to destroy you. They know your strengths and your weaknesses.
It can’t be destroyed right now, because it’s been cloaked. So, any kind of magic you perform
against it is basically useless until after your awkward magical state returns to normal. That
explains why you couldn’t read them.” Niall stared at her, then Storm. “I assure you, vampires
play no part in this. The wolves simply mentioned vampires, because that’s what the entity wants everyone to believe.”
“So these demons are just leading us on a wild goose chase?” Storm asked.
Niall nodded. “Correct. Oh, how it sucks to be you right now.”
“Leave now.” Rose dismissed the vampire. When he walked away, she and Storm spoke.
“How could a demon know that information?”
Storm glanced at her with a questionable look. “I saw a shadow in the depths of Niall’s
eyes.”
“We’ll bring this up at tonight’s council meeting and agree on a plan to bring this thing into
plain sight. When we have it in our grasps, we’ll destroy it.”
“What if it can’t be destroyed?” Storm asked.
“We’ll think of something,” Rose promised quietly as they left the station.
Chapter Three
Later that evening, the McQueen witches strode into the council chambers on the second
level of the Manor. Viola entered first with Rose in the middle and Storm by her side. Her
mother, Shawn with her husband, Wes brought up the rear, because Shawn was the only witch
whose powers were minimal.
Dressed in silk white robes, the witches took their seats. Rose looked over at her mother,
Shawn, who returned her gaze with a questioning one. Rose wondered why her mother was
seated on the council today of all days?
She felt Storm’s gaze fall over her and she glanced over at him. He nodded, giving her a
reassuring smile that she really needed before everyone took to their seats. Rose often hated
family affairs, but as a McQueen witch, it was unavoidable. Storm was her rock in more ways
than one, just as Micah Ravencloud had been Clara Rose’s strength through their dark years. The Raven and the Rose held a bond that no other relationship could surpass. It was with that power Raven’s Falls had been built in the first place.
To the left of Shawn sat Viola. Viola, the oldest of the McQueen witches, had existed for
over a hundred years. As an Elder, she’d fought alongside her cousin, Clara Rose. The woman
had a regal sense about her and always wore her coiled hair piled high on top of her head. A large strip of gray hair reached from her widow’s peak to the top of her head. Candlelight illuminated her caramel colored skin and her eyes held years of wisdom.
Tobias, Rose’s cousin and ten years her senior, sat to the left of Viola. Then there was
Jasmine. Corey, mayor of Raven’s Falls, Dehlia, Uncle Jesse, and Uncle Walter. In another
hundred years or so, the blood moon would return and weaken Dehlia’s powers in preparation for
The Heightening. She only hoped Dehlia wouldn’t experience the difficulties she’d been
experiencing. Each moon depended on the strength of the witch. It would then be Rose’s turn to
pass her powers on to the young witch, just as Clara Rose had passed hers onto Viola.
Rose glanced over at her mother and felt an incredible amount of resentment emanating from
the woman.
“Are we any closer to discovering the solution to our dilemma?” Viola asked patiently while
leaning back into the gold framed black leather chair and casting her gaze toward Rose.
Rose sighed, then explained the night’s happening at the police station and the discovery in
the woods. “And when Tobias and I spotted the thing in the woods, I struck it with a blow.
Unfortunately, it got away.”
“You mean to tell me you’ve created a potion to allow Niall the ability to walk in the day?”
Shaw
n retorted. “Rose, what were you thinking?”
“Mother, as I’ve explained, only a vampire can revive the wolves’ memories. Last night,
Niall discovered that it was some type of demon controlling the wolves. Not a vampire like we
thought. The wolves were trained to say vampire to throw us all off. Now if you think you can do a better job, by all means, have at it.”
“Mind your tongue,” Viola warned. “This is a council meeting. Family is first and foremost.
We will not disrespect one another.”
Rose detested the fact that her mother had shrugged off inheriting McQueen family magic.
“Is there something you wish to discuss with me, Rose?” Shawn asked.
“Oh, come on. We don’t have time for this now,” Corey argued. “What about the break ins
and the thing Rose and Tobias saw in the woods? Is it possible it’s all connected? Niall says it’s a demon, so what should we do?”
“We’ll discuss how to vanish this thing,” Storm answered Corey.
Shawn shook her head and calmly leaned back in her chair. “You won’t hear another word
from me. But you and I are having a discussion after the meeting, Rose.”
Rose nodded in agreement. “Looking forward to it, mother. As I was saying, we’re
powerless unless we can draw this thing out into plain sight. My power comes in waves. When
I’m at my strongest the next time, I’ll cast a spell forcing it out.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Walter nodded with a smile.
“Whatever issues you two have with one another, keep it outside the meeting walls,” Jesse’s
voice boomed through the meeting hall. “It is up to us all to support Rose until she comes into more power.
The witch’s spoke their agreement at once, nodding their heads.
“But we’re weak within ourselves,” Jasmine interjected, who was only twenty years old.
“Although family, we’re not truly bonded, not like family was in Clara’s time. While she awaited The Heightening, her powers waned, but the rest of the family shielded them all, without fail.”
Viola nodded in agreement. “She’s right. For one so young, Jasmine holds much wisdom.”
Rose bowed. “My apologies to you all. Kezzie is retrieving information from Queensville. I
feel something big from the outside world other than what is happening is going to hit us soon.
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